Transfer tail clamping apparatus

ABSTRACT

A transfer tail clamping apparatus used on a bobbin replenishing mechanism has an expansible member, having aligned clamping means, connected adjacent one end with an abutment and on the other end with a movable frame for clamping the tail when the bobbin is being transferred.

United States Patent Blackstone 51 June 20, 1972 [54] TRANSFER TAIL CLAMPING APPARATUS [72] Inventor: John A. Blackstone, 4 Woodridge Drive,

Greenville, SC. 29311 [22] Filed: July 24, 1970 [21] App1.No.: 57,992

Primary Examiner1ames Kee Chi Attorney-Bailey & Dority [57] ABSTRACT A transfer tail clamping apparatus used on a bobbin replenishing mechanism has an expansible member, having aligned clamping means, connected adjacent one end with an abutment and on the other end with a movable frame for clamping the tail when the bobbin is being transferred.

2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures [52] 11.8. C1 ..139/247, 139/224, 139/256 [51 Int. Cl ..D03d 45/26, D03d 45/02 [58] Field of Search ..139/247, 256, 257, 224, 224 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,452,784 7/1969 Sides ..139/247 PATENTEDJUNZO I972 3 8 7O 7 7 7 INVENTOR.

JOHN A. BLAcKsToNE ATTORNE Y5 TRANSFER TAIL CLAMPING APPARATUS This invention relates to a clamping apparatus on a bobbin winding machine for holding the end of a transfer tail of a bob bin and the like, when the bobbin is being transferred.

During a cloth weaving operation when a bobbin is inserted in a shuttle on a loom it is necessary to hold the end of the transfer tail of the yarn carried by the bobbin during the first traverse or first pick of the shuttle. Normally, on automatic bobbin winding mechanisms associated with looms the end of the transfer tail is held by a clamping mechanism during this first pick. One of the problems encountered in clamping mechanisms, heretofore used, was the jaws of the clamp occasionally bounced apart slighly when the clamp was closed. When the clamping mechanism bounced, the transfer tail was occasionally dropped, and as a result, the loom was shut down automatically. Thus, it can be seen that it is extremely important that the clamping mechanism positively grip and hold the transfer tail each and every time during the bobbin transfer operation.

Heretofore, clamping mechanisms incorporated a clamping rubber pad which was brought in contact with a rubber pad carried on an abutment or backstop to engage the end of a transfer tail therebetween. Some strands being wound caused a groove to wear in the rubber pads and eventually such, in turn, caused the strand to be dropped or slipped during the first pick after transfer.

Another. problem with clamping mechanisms, heretofore, utilized is that they did not provide a positive gripping action for all types of strands. As a result, when certain strands were being used the clamping mechanism would sometimes drop such.

On conventional looms provided with winding mechanisms after the first pick a knife cuts the strand close to the cloth and an air tube sucks the end of the transfer tail ofi' a tensioning drum which is provided for properly positioning the transfer tail prior to transfer. The very end of the transfer tail is normally wrapped on the drum and moves downwardly on the drum as it is rotated. If the end of the transfer tail is not removed from the drum after the strand has been cut, the transfer tail will wrap around the bottom of the drum causing accumulations of such thereon, and eventually causing the drum to drop some transfer tails before transfer. Thus, it can be seen that it is desirable to insure that the end of the transfer tail will be removed from the drum by the pneumatic means after the transfer tail or strand has been cut.

One clamping mechnism, heretofore, utilized is illustrated in FIGS. 7, 9, and 21 of U.S. Pat. No. 2,638,936 granted to Goodhue et al., and issued on May 19, 1953. An improved model of the device, illustrated in the patent, is manufactured by Leesona Corporation, and is generally referred to as the Unifil Loom Winder having Model Nos. 790 and 791. Although attempts to solve these problems illustrated in US. Pat. Nos. 3,41 l,550 and 3,452,784 have produced good results, the problem of slippage of the transfer tail persists in some degree.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide an improved clamping mechanism for holding the transfer tail of a bobbin when a bobbin is being transferred.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification, and by reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a portion of an auto matic loom winder illustrating the clamping mechanism and an abutment constructed in accordance with the present invention, with parts omitted,

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the abutment constructed in accordance with the present invention, the yarn clamp illustrated in an open position, and the mechanism for actuating such, with parts omitted, and

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the yarn clamping mechanism illustrated in a closed position, with parts omitted.

The drawing illustrates a transfer tail clamping apparatus for use with a bobbin replenishing mechanism for engaging a transfer tail T of a bobbin and the like when the bobbin is being transferred. The bobbin replenishing mechanism has an abutment A carried thereon adjacent the transfer tail of said bobbin on one side thereof. A movable frame B is carried by the bobbin replenishing mechanism opposite the abutment on the other side of the transfer tail when in a first position. Means C is provided for moving the movable frame forwardly to a second position more closely adjacent said abutment than when in the first position when the bobbin is being transferred. An expansible member D, preferably in the form of a coil spring, has connection adjacent one end thereof with the abutment and has connection adjacent the other end thereof with the frame. The expansible member D includes aligned clamping means which are open when the frame is in the first position receiving the transfer tail but which are closed clamping said tail when said frame is shifted to the second position. Stop means E is carried by the bobbin replenishing mechanism between the abutment and the frame limiting relative movement forwardly between the frame and the abutment.

In the particular embodiment illustrated, the transfer tail clamping apparatus is being used with a Unifil Model No. 790 Loom Winder, which is manufactured by Leesona Corporation of Warwick, R. I. The loom winder automatically winds yarn on bobbins and maintains a supply of full bobbins which are automatically transferred to the shuttle on the loom as the filling in the running shuttle is nearly exhausted. Each of the bobbins waiting to be transferred to the shuttle has a transfer tail T, the end of which is held by a gripping mechanism carried by a tensioning drum 11. Only the transfer tail of the lowermost bobbin carried in the bobbin magazine is illustrated in FIG. 1. When the bobbin is transferred to the shuttle it is necessary that the end of the transfer tail be held stationary so that it can be threaded in the eye of the shuttle. It is, also, necessary that the transfer tail be held stationary during the first pick of the shuttle. Such is the purpose of the clamping apparatus, generally referred to by reference numeral 12, which includes the abutment A constructed in accordance with the present invention. After the bobbin has made its first pick in the shuttle, the tail is cut adjacent the cloth. A conventional pneumatic suction device (not shown) is mounted adjacent the winder for pulling the end of the transfer tail off of the tensioning drum 11 after such is cut. This suction device is generally mounted between the clamping device and the cloth being woven.

An abutment A constructed in accordance with the present invention is carried on frame 13 of the bobbin replenishing mechanism. The abutment A has a horizontal leg 14 and a vertical support 15. The horizontal leg 14 is secured to the frame 13 by any suitable means, such as screws 14a.

The movable frame B is carried by the bobbin replenishing mechanism and such is shifted to the right or forwardly in order to close the coils of the spring D which has connection therewith on one end thereof. A vertical leg 16 is integral with the outer end of the movable frame B and has two vertically spaced apertures therein for receiving bolts 17 or the like, for attaching member 18 thereto. The member 18 serves to connect the coil spring D to the movable frame B and has slots 17a to permit lateral adjustment thereof. The movable frame has a flat main body portion 19 with a pair of spaced vertical posts 20 and 20a, respectively, adjacent the inner end. The vertical posts have aligned apertures therein for receiving a horizontal rod 21 upon which the frame slides during opening and closing of the clamping apparatus. The horizontal rod 21 has its ends suitably secured to the bobbin replenishing mechanism. The movable frame 13 has laterally spaced side walls 22 and 23, respectively, integral therewith. A laterally extending rod 24 is carried between the side walls 22 and 23 for accommodating apparatus utilized in shifting the frame. Such is discussed in more detail below.

The coils of the spring D are open when the slack end of the yarn is drawn thereinto during transfer. The coils are held in the open position by a latching mechanism and the bobbin replenishing mechanism is provided with means C for shifting the movable frame B to a forward position when the bobbinis being transferred. The latching or cocking mechanism comprises a lever 25 which is freely carried on a rockable rod 26. The end of the lever 25 is bifurcated for accommodating the lateral rod 24 carried on the movable frame. The rockable rod 26 is connected to be rocked by the transfer hammer (not shown) associated with the bobbin replenishing mechanism for the loom and is rotated in a clockwise direction when a bobbin is being transferred. Such causes the lever 25 to be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction. When the lever is rotated in a counterclockwise direction the coils of the clamping apparatus are closed from the open position illustrated in FIG. 2 to the closed position illustrated in FIG. 3. It is also noted that the movable frame slides forwardly on the rod 21 from the position illustrated in FIG. 2 to that of FIG. 3. The above-mentioned action takes place as a bobbin is being transferred into the shuttle of the loom. The clamping apparatus is restored to open position by the action of the lay (not shown) on the next stroke thereof in a conventional manner causing the movable frame to move rearwardly.

Heretofore, the clamping apparatus normally carried on the movable frame B occasionally dropped the transfer tail of the bobbin when such was closed, thus causing the loom to be shut down. It is extremely important that the clamping apparatus engage the transfer tail each and every time that a bobbin is being transferred so as to achieve the maximum efficiency of the loom. One belief for the cause of the clamping mechanism to occasionally drop the transfer tail is that a bouncing action takes place when the clamping jaws are closed. Thus, one of the purposes of the subject invention is to provide a positive gripping between the coils of the spring E.

The spring is carried on one end on the movable frame B opposite the abutment A to which it has connection on the other end. The clamping apparatus includes the bracket member 18 carried by the movable frame B, the abutment A, the coil spring D fastened to apertures 27 and 28 in the bracket member, and the abutment, respectively, together with the stop means E. The stop means includes a threaded shank 29 which passes through an aperture in the bracket 18.

Lock nuts 30 adjustably fix the shank 29 which has a head 31 for striking the abutment A limiting the forward movement of the movable frame. If desired, the coil spring E may be coated with rubber and the like to avoid damage to the tail gripped thereby.

In operation, when a fresh bobbin is being transferred to a shuttle on the loom the rod 26 is rocked by the transfer hammer to rotate the lever 25 in a counterclockwise direction sliding the movable frame to the right for closing the clamping apparatus. Such causes a positive gripping of the strand between the coils. The suction mechanism associated with the winder pulls the end of the transfer tail off of the drum when the clamping spring apparatus is open facilitating release of the tail. Such minimizes drum wraps which would accumulate on the bottom of the drum if the transfer tail was not removed. Since the clamping apparatus is capable of being compressed, such catches the transfer tail sooner than conventional clamps and holds the transfer tail longer during the bobbin transfer operation.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific tenns, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A transfer tail clamping apparatus for use with a bobbin replenishing mechanism for engaging a transfer tail of a bobbin and the like when said bobbin is being transferred having means moving forwardly when said bobbin is being transferred, comprising an abutment carried on said mechanism adjacent the transfer tail of said bobbin, a movable frame carried by said means opposite said abutment in a first position and a spring member having connection ad acent one en thereof with said abutment and having connection adjacent the other end thereof with said frame, saidspring including coils which are open when said frame is in said first position receiving said transfer tail but which are closed clamping said tail when said frame is moved forwardly.

2. The transfer tail clamping apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein said coils of said spring are coated with a rubber like material. 

1. A transfer tail clamping apparatus for use with a bobbin replenishing mechanism for engaging a transfer tail of a bobbin and the like when said bobbin is being transferred having means moving forwardly when said bobbin is being transferred, comprising an abutment carried on said mechanism adjacent the transfer tail of said bobbin, a movable frame carried by said means opposite said abutment in a first position, and a spring member having connection adjacent one end thereof with said abutment and having connection adjacent the other end thereof with said frame, said spring including coils which are open when said frame is in said first position receiving said transfer tail but which are closed clamping said tail when said frame is moved forwardly.
 2. The transfer tail clamping apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein said coils of said spring are coated with a rubber like material. 